Mood Lifters: A Dimensional Approach to Mental Health Care

Abstract

Dimensional, transdiagnostic models of psychopathology such as RDoC and HiTOP increasingly inform how core and covarying processes are conceptualized in psychopathology diagnoses. It follows that the field may benefit from considering transdiagnostic, dimensional intervention models to promote mental wellness across human experiences. The current study presents Mood Lifters as a programmatic case study of a biopsychosocial-informed treatment approach that targets psychopathology as conceptualized within RDoC and HiTOP frameworks. Mood Lifters is a 15-week, peer-led, group-based program that promotes transdiagnostic mental wellness. This program demonstrates how a single intervention can address psychopathology across various domains highlighted in prominent alternative models to the DSM. With public health and community implementation in mind, the authors hope that this applied conceptualization of a theoretical framework will encourage further development of transdiagnostic, dimensional treatment approaches.